I have read for years that election experts claim that voting for a president is based on emotion. I hate to admit it, but they are correct. I had hoped that voters would select the most qualified candidate who supported the issues most important to them. After this strange and somewhat depressing campaign season, I am disappointed in my fellow Americans. If the voting public used their intellect, not only would Donald Trump be losing by 20, 30, or even 40 points, he would never have received the Republican nomination.

For years I have been angry at voters in several states who allowed unqualified men and women to receive jobs in Washington. Most of them hate the America of our founding fathers, and have forced our government to become dysfunctional. Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz, Joni Ernst, Steve King, and others are an embarrassment to my America.

The very thought that Trump could become our nation’s president is revolting. I fear for my nation when I look at the polls. This egomaniac represents the worst of our country. He is a failed businessman who has declared bankruptcy four times, and failed to pay subcontractors. His fraudulent “Trump University” swindled money from Americans desperately seeking to improve their lives. His weak temperament has forced him to attack minorities, and even a gold star family. Although he has zero experience in government at any level, he now wants to be your president and “learn on the job.”

When Trump first declared his candidacy, I understood his success. Republican voters were displaying their displeasure with the establishment who has failed them for the last eight years. But their continued support over the last year as he has exposed himself to the American people is unforgivable.

I read many negative comments about Hillary Clinton, but none of them are directly related to her abilities and qualifications to be our nation’s next president. They are all emotional and eliminate any criticism of her stand on the issues. Although I was originally a Bernie Sanders supporter, I am now “with Hillary,” and proud of my choice. She is closely aligned to the Vermont Senator’s principles and ideas; she is the best choice in 2016 for me, my family, and those I love.

I am an Independent, and I do not understand why Trump has a fairly large portion of Independent’s votes. We are the ones who generally vet the candidates and make the wise decisions. We snub parties and vote for the candidate. But, once again, this is a strange year.

One year ago the 2016 election year was interesting, now it has become disgusting and embarrassing. Trump’s latest addition of Kellyanne Conway; the ultimate “spin doctor;” and Stephen Bannon as his campaign CEO raises more questions, but not from the media. They love Donald Trump and are his biggest supporters. They ignore the fact that Bannon is a white supremacist, a bigot, racist, misogynist, and a blatant homophobe. He proved all of this factual while running Breitbart.

I fear for my nation, because of its horrible voting record in the 21^st century. Gone are the qualities which offered our country a chance to be great. Weak emotions and failed politicians are destroying the ‘real America.’

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of Cali4beach

Follow me on Twitter: @jamesturnagenov